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D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:28 am
by Prickett
I have recently tried to get into the game of dungeons and dragons. I was wondering if there were any seasoned players on these forums that could help. There are only a few misconceptions I have about the game on which I need clarification. I've tried looking elsewhere, but to no avail.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:46 am
by abstractcolors215
Ive always thought that would be a very interesting game to get into, but Ive never tried it. :]

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:41 am
by Prickett
It's really not that complicated, you just need a few items, some friends with whom to play, and an interest in the game (which you have). I just need clarification on a few lesser things.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 4:56 am
by mangoose
I've played a few times with some friends. One of them learned how to be an amazing dungeon master from his dad, and he has some old maps and quests and dungeons that his dad designed, so we always have fun. My advice is to find a good dungeon master, and as many people to play with as possible. Also, don't be afraid to think outside the box, as in d&d you aren't constrained by really anything except for your dungeon master.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:03 am
by Prickett
Yes, thank you. The problem is, we're all starting from scratch. By that I mean, we have nobody with any experience in the game. DM or otherwise. The things I was pondering is how AC is factored into damage resistance (the equation or the like). My sister is trying to be DM and she has just about as much experience as me. If you have any information, please tell me.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:46 am
by wolf3167
Im a seasoned veteran. What do you need cleared up?

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:47 am
by wolf3167
What edition are you using? I need to know that, definitely.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 7:01 pm
by Prickett
The latest, so I believe that would be fourth.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:32 pm
by wolf3167
Okay, so you plug in the values as described for the AC formula. It is:
1. Start with 10
2. Add 50% of your level rounded down
3. Add armor bonuses if applicable
4. Add enchantment bonuses from armor (If applicable)
5. Add bonus from your shield (if any)
6. If wearing NONHEAVY ARMOR: add the higher of your intelligence and dexterity modifiers (min. 0)
7. Add feat bonuses (if applicable)
8. Add any class bonuses (if applicable)

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:33 pm
by wolf3167
To be honest, you should be playing AD&D. Much better, less catered towards a younger audience, more able to use imagination. You can probably even download the books few on your PC.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 1:12 am
by Prickett
Thanks a lot wolf, you're the best. And I'll have to look into AD&D one day. And one more thing, once I've figured the total, do I just subtract from the total incoming damage, or what.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 2:16 am
by wolf3167
No, you make an attack roll. If the result (and any relevant modifiers) equal or exceed the AC, then you get to make a damage roll, which is not affected by AC, but is subtracted from the health pool. There may be a little more to it, but I haven't played 4E in at least a year. Also, a roll of 20 on an attack (or skill check) is considered a "Critical Hit/Success" and makes you automatically succeed and, if it is an attack, do the most damage you could possibly do with the attack. A "Critical Miss" is a roll of 1.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 2:43 am
by Prickett
Oh, I was under the impression it works the way it does in the quest, where damage is reduced based on AC, not it misses or hits. But what would happen if your AC was above 20; are you invulnerable at that point, or is there another rule involved.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:18 am
by wolf3167
No, bexause of how the attack roll is calculated:
1d20 + 1/2 attacker level + any relevant modifiers.

For example, assume that I am a level 25 and I want to hit a monster with 20 AC. I have a +5 general bonus to attacks (not going to dig around the rule books for an actual example). I roll a 17 on my ATTACK roll. I would have an attack of 17 + 12 + 5: thats 34, which far exceeds the AC of 20.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:08 am
by Prickett
Oh, so it's the total of the whole attack. Thanks again wolf, this information was vital.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:52 am
by wolf3167
Yep. Otherwise your campaign would grind to a bitter halt after maybe level 5 :) :) :)

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:35 am
by Prickett
Haha, that'd be awful

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:01 pm
by wolf3167
Yep! Hope your campaign(s) go well!

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:02 pm
by Prickett
Thanks, I'm sure they will!

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:09 pm
by wolf3167
As an aside, how many players do you have? Also, you do have all the books you'll need and all that jazz right?

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 3:00 am
by Prickett
There are four of us. And yes, I have the PDF download from the website for the DM and player handbook. We are going to use tokens to use as pieces, as we won't have to pay for them. My sister has created a world map to use, and I will lamenate two 24x18 sheets of paper that will have a grid on them, so we can use them for local maps and stuff. I, of course, also have the dice. Am I leaving anything out?

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 6:58 pm
by wolf3167
Just a little thing- I never made a "world map" when I DMed. It is, from experience, better to flesh out the world little by little, for several reasons. If you want to use a premade adventure (which is a good thing to do until you get the hang of things), you will have less work to do with adjusting your world. It sounds like procrastination, but it will make everything smoother if the DM draws the map up (or thinks it up) as needed, so that the world will be better tailored to your group's wants and needs, especially considering that DND is a long-term game, typically played over the course of several years of you are serious about it. This way, if the players or the DM has a new idea, it will be easier to implement.

You seem to be all set to play!

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 7:36 pm
by Prickett
You know, that does make sense. But all we have is the land mass and the countries. There are no climate indicators, or land textures; we planned to have those be added as needed. Since we aren't using a pre-made campaign, I thought it would be better to go ahead and make a world map, so we can build quests around it.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:31 pm
by wolf3167
Go for what seems most logical, of course.

Re: D&D

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 10:25 pm
by abstractcolors215
Ive learned something about D&D, thanks to this thread! Its always sounded very interesting since I love RPGs, now I know more about it! Have fun!!